Spring is here and the sunny days ahead are a perfect time to start seasonal home maintenance tasks to keep your property safe and in top condition.

Schedule a HVAC professional to inspect and tune up the AC. An HVAC checklist should include checking refrigerant levels, the condensate drain, and cleaning the coils and blower. Be sure outside compressors are unobstructed by overgrown shrubs, and brush or blow off leaves and debris. Inspect insulation on refrigerant lines leading into the house and replace if missing or damaged.

Clean your clothes dryer exhaust hose and vent. Dryer lint can build up inside the vent pipe and is a common cause of house fires. Clean both the dryer exhaust duct and the space under the dryer. When was the last time your sealed your natural stone countertops? Granite and marble are porous, so liquids like red wine, juice, or soy sauce can stain them. A countertop sealer repels stains by causing spills to bead instead of getting absorbed.

Outside, take a look at the roof and gutters. Clean leaves and other debris from gutters and downspouts. Also look for cracked and peeling paint on the eaves and fascia boards. Keeping a good coat of paint on your property is not just about appearance. Paint is your property's first line of defense against the effects of weather and wood rot. Check window screens for holes and tears to repair before the warm buggy months ahead.

Get ready for garden parties by examining decks and balconies for signs of wood deterioration. Treat mildew spots on decks and patios with a solution of 1 part bleach to 3 parts water using a deck brush. Replace any rotted boards and seal, stain or paint if necessary.

Check sprinkler and irrigation systems. Run the system through all the zones manually and walk the property, making sure none of the sprinkler heads are broken or damaged. Adjust any heads that are spraying the house, street or sidewalk to avoid moisture problems and water waste. Check for any outdoor pots or vessels that can collect water and become a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Walk around to see how your landscape trees are doing. Past years of drought have taken their toll on many trees that may need to be pruned of dead branches that could break off in Santa Ana winds.